Rex Ryan put a quick end to a budding controversy.

The New York Jets coach addressed his players during a meeting Wednesday, reminding them to ''be mindful'' of what they say in public in the wake of cornerback Antonio Cromartie's remarks that he'd rank himself the second-best wide receiver on the team.

A day after wide receiver Chaz Schilens said he felt the comment was a ''slight'' to the players at his position, he backtracked Thursday, saying he cleared the air with Cromartie.

''Antonio Cromartie is a hell of an athlete,'' Schilens said with a smile. ''He could play wide receiver anytime he wants to.''

Schilens also spoke individually with Ryan, who thought Cromartie's comments were mostly a joke and recognized that Schilens didn't take them as they might have been intended - causing a mini-feud for the Jets (No. 17 in the AP Pro32).

''I think everyone laughed about it except Chaz,'' Ryan said. ''That's the truth. Chaz should know (Cromartie's) not the No. 2 receiver, you know what I mean? How many balls has Cromartie caught? How many routes has he run? Now is he an unbelievable athlete? Yes.

''I was just shocked he didn't say he was the best receiver.''

Cromartie chose to not speak to reporters for a second straight day, but Schilens was willing to acknowledge that he was partially in the wrong.

''I think it was a teachable moment,'' Schilens said. ''I understand what I could do differently.''

Santonio Holmes, the one receiver who Cromartie told ''ESPN First Take'' ranks ahead of him, said the players would let the coaches ''deal with that.''

''It doesn't bother us,'' Holmes said. ''We play on our side of the ball and he plays on his side of the ball.''

Well, not quite. And that's part of the issue. The Jets have acknowledged that Cromartie could see action this season at wide receiver, although he has seen just one snap at the position so far in training camp.